Bioconversion of poultry waste as growth enhancers and nutritional content in sugarcane

Abstract

Technological advances favor an increase in poultry production; however, the generated by-products are valuable if they are properly managed and recycled. The reuse of these residues and their application as compost represents a benefit for the soil and sugar cane cultivation.

Objective: Different doses of compost made from poultry residues and filter cake from sugarcane juice were evaluated, combined with mineral fertilizer, to determine the nutritional status and growth in sugar cane.

Design/methodology/approach: The agricultural yield of sugarcane and the concentration of minerals were studied through foliar analysis; the nitrogen content was determined through the micro-Kjeldahl method, while phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and boron were quantified through inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometry and wet digestion spectrophotometry. Results: The results show that the application of compost made from chicken manure presented the highest yield (120 t ha^-1), number of stems, and content of macronutrients, while nutrition with chemical fertilizers provided the highest content of micronutrients in sugarcane plants.

Findings/conclusions: This study has shown that the use of poultry waste compost favors the morphological development and nutritional content of the sugarcane crop.